LEWISTON, Idaho – The UBC Thunderbirds bats came alive, and then some, on Saturday taking both halves of a doubleheader against the Lewis-Clark State Warriors at Harris Field.
The T-Birds scored 11 runs in the third inning in the opening game which UBC took by an eventual 17-4 margin. The 'Birds then followed up with a seven run first inning as part of a 9-5 victory to sweep the double dip and set UBC up for a chance to earn the series win in Sunday's finale.
In game one Saturday, the 'Birds had a 2-1 lead heading into the third where the visitors broke things wide open. UBC sent 15 batters to the plate in the frame, scoring 11 runs on seven hits, tied for the most in an inning since the T-Birds scored 12 in a 2007 game against the College of Idaho.
Mike Fitzsimmons managed two hits in the inning, his second driving in a pair of runs to give UBC an 8-1 lead. Jaxon Valcke and Adam Maier followed up with back-to-back RBI singles to get the 'Birds to 10 runs. Brett Corbeth then doubled down the left field line bringing in three more runs to give UBC a 13-1 lead before the Warriors finally managed to get out of the inning.
UBC out-hit the Warriors 16-8 with seven different T-Birds finishing the game with multiple hits including Corbeth who led the way with four RBI.
Jared Spearing picked up the win on the mound going six innings strong allowing four runs on seven hits with a pair of strike outs. Corbeth came in to pitch one inning and held the Warriors off the board as the mercy rule kicked in and the game was made official through seven.
The T-Birds picked up right where they left off in game two Saturday staking out a 7-0 lead before the Warriors had a chance to bat.
It was a rough start on defence for LC as UBC's first two batters were walked. Valcke singled for his fourth hit of the afternoon, driving in Jake Lanferman from third to get the 'Birds on the board. After Noah Or reached on a walk, two more UBC runs scored thanks to a passed ball and a wild pitch. Or managed to score himself on a throwing error while another wild pitch allowed Corbeth to cross the plate as UBC took a 5-0 lead.
Cameron Sanderson and Lanferman, on his second at bat of the inning, each had RBI singles to get the lead to seven. LC went to their bullpen bringing in Jesse Parker who promptly struck out Fitzsimmons to end the monstrous frame.
Parker ended up pitching six and a third but the damage had been done. The 'Birds tacked on two more runs in the seventh on a Fitzsimmons RBI double and a Valcke RBI single, his sixth hit of the day.
Maier came in to pitch the third inning for UBC and was credited with his first win in the blue and gold. The rookie went five innings allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five.
Barry Caine pitched two perfect innings to close out the game including a pair of strikeouts.
The 'Birds will go for the series win Sunday when they conclude the four-game set in Lewiston. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. PT.
